Fitzgerald reappointed Australia Davis Cup captain

Sydney, Nov 22: John Fitzgerald has been reappointed non-playing captain of Australia's Davis Cup squad for 2008 despite failing to keep the 28-times champions in the World Group.

Australia lost their place in the elite World Group for the first time since 1991 when they lost a relegation tie against Serbia in September.

They now face the prospect of having to come through Asia/Oceania zonal playoffs just to get back into the top flight in 2009.

''It is a great challenge,'' Fitzgerald said in a statement released by Tennis Australia today.

''We are excited by the task and determined to get the Australian Davis Cup team back where it belongs and that's in the World Group.'' Tennis Australia also confirmed that David Taylor had been reappointed captain of the women's Fed Cup team, who were also knocked out of their World Group.

UNI